GOSHEN >> Two teens accused of beating and choking an elderly woman to death before her home was set on fire were hoping to get money to buy drugs, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

Jennifer P. Molyneaux, 17, of the town of Wallkill, and Devin A. Giordano, 19, of the village of Goshen, were charged with second-degree murder in connection with the homicide and apparent arson that occurred about 4 a.m. Saturday, authorities said. They said the two caused Helen Mills’ death during a burglary in her home at 84 Green St.

Police said Molyneaux and Giordano are boyfriend and girlfriend and know Mills’ grandson.

Mills’ body was found in her home after firefighters extinguished the blaze there. Authorities said she lived alone.

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Authorities said Mills “suffered blunt-force trauma wounds to her head and throat injuries consistent with having been beaten and strangled.” They also said “evidence indicating the use of fire accelerants” were found in several locations in Mills’ home, including her bedroom.

The two-alarm fire brought out seven fire departments and two ambulance squads.

Investigators said in a press release Tuesday that the apparent motive for the burglary was “to obtain money for narcotics.”

“There is a link between illicit narcotics and violent crime,” District Attorney David Hoovler said in a prepared statement. “It is utterly reprehensible that anyone would kill a defenseless, elderly woman in her own bedroom.”

Authorities said items taken in the burglary were found at Giordano’s residence and that an examination of Molyneaux revealed signs of a struggle.

Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, in a prepared statement, called the homicide a “despicable crime committed against one of our seniors.”

The case against Molyneaux and Giordano will be presented to an Orange County grand jury.